VOYAGE FROM CAPE TOWN TO CHINA. 55 



ance to the island as to make it seem to be rent in twain 

 by the earthquake. 



From Thwart way we steamed slowly towards Kra- 

 katoa, taking frequent soundings. When about five 

 miles from the new island which had formed in Bezee 

 Channel, the leadsman reported 14 fathoms, which was 

 much less than the chart gave. While engaged in 

 locating the shoal by sextant angles, this island, called 

 by the Dutch Calmeijer, suddenly began sending up 

 large puffs of smoke and dust, and at the same time a 

 line of heavy breakers appeared extending all the way 

 across the channel between Bezee Island and Krakatoa. 

 Thinking that a small tidal wave might be coming, the 

 air-ports and the cabin stern-ports were closed quickly, 

 boats hoisted which had just been lowered, and prepara- 

 tions made to batten down the hatches. The disturb- 

 ance, however, proved local and had no appreciable 

 effect on the ship, although the eruption continued a 

 half-hour and the chief engineer reported that the 

 temperature of the injection-water went up 4°. 



We continued taking casts as we passed Krakatoa, 

 whose bare sides, covered with ashes and scoria, re- 

 vealed rents or gulleys running from top to bottom 

 in irregular lines. Shortly after sunset, having steamed 

 several miles beyond the volcano, the engines were 

 stopped and the vessel was allowed to drift under fore- 

 and-aft sails. 



Some time after dark a steamer was seen slowly ap- 

 proaching our ship from the direction of Bezee Island. 



